Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams (08 May 2023)

Current Affairs MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Date: 08 May 2023

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to legalise cannabis cultivation.
2. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985 criminalizes drug production, possession, and consumption.
3. The 2001 amendment to the NDPS Act differentiates between "drug users" and "drug traffickers.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 2 and 3 Only
b) 1 and 3 Only
c) 1,2 and 3
d) 1 and 2 Only

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Uttarakhand was the first state to legalise cannabis cultivation in 2017, while controlled cultivation of cannabis is also being done in some districts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Hence Statement 1 is not correct.
  • The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985 criminalizes drug production, possession, and consumption. Statement 2 is correct.
  • The 2001 amendment to the NDPS Act differentiates between "drug users" and "drug traffickers. Statement 3 is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Smart Meters:

1. Smart Meters are digital devices that are used to measure and record electricity consumption in real time.
2. Smart Meters can help in reducing energy consumption by providing real-time information about energy usage.
3. Smart Meters are only installed in urban areas and not in rural areas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • Smart Meters are digital meters that can record and transmit electricity usage data at regular intervals, providing accurate information about energy consumption. This helps in optimizing energy distribution and reducing energy losses. Thus, statements 1 and 2 are correct.
  • Smart Meters are being installed in both urban and rural areas in India. The government of India has launched a scheme called the Smart Meter National Program (SMNP) to replace traditional meters with smart meters across the country. The aim of this program is to improve the financial health of power distribution companies and ensure better energy management. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Atmospheric River (AR):

1. It is a narrow corridor or filament of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere.
2. The precipitation levels of the atmospheric rivers are low in Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats regions.
3. The warming climate is increasing the moisture-holding capacity of atmospheric rivers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • An atmospheric river (AR) is a narrow corridor or filament of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere.
  • Thus statement 1 is correct.
  • The precipitation levels of these ARs are more in Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats regions, causing extreme rain events.
  • Hence statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • The warming climate is increasing the moisture-holding capacity of atmospheric rivers, which leads to concerns about more devastating floods in the future.
  • Therefore, statement 3 is correct.